We use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for threat protection.
Chief Technology Officer at a financial services firm with 1-10 employees
Easy to use, good support, but more visibility is needed
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint are the ease of use and it was available within the operating system."
- "The biggest issue I had with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint was the antivirus and ransomware. I wanted central visibility over all the machines that we operate."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint are the ease of use and it was available within the operating system.
What needs improvement?
The biggest issue I had with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint was the antivirus and ransomware. I wanted central visibility over all the machines that we operate.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used Microsoft Defender for Endpoint within the past 12 months.
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Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
May 2025

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851,823 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have approximately 10 to 15 people using the solution in my organization.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support from Microsoft is good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial installation could have been easier.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is an annual license required.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.

Systems Administrator at The Port Authority of Jamaica
It's a cost-effective solution for Microsoft shops
Pros and Cons
- "We are a Microsoft shop, and Defender is a Microsoft solution that provides some security at a reasonable cost."
- "I want Microsoft Defender to have the ability to deal with some issues automatically, so I don't need to address that issue manually."
What is our primary use case?
We use Defendor for endpoint monitoring. It alerts us when a machine has issues, and we take the necessary steps to resolve them.
What is most valuable?
We are a Microsoft shop, and Defender is a Microsoft solution that provides some security at a reasonable cost.
What needs improvement?
I want Microsoft Defender to have the ability to deal with some issues automatically, so I don't need to address that issue manually.
For how long have I used the solution?
We started testing our endpoints and preparing to deploy Microsoft Defender about two months ago.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would say yes, it is.
How are customer service and support?
Microsoft support is excellent.
How was the initial setup?
Deploying Microsoft Defender took some time because we had to push it through. You can install Symantec using the GUI, but we have to use the GPO to push the agent. It would be nice if Defender streamlined that.
Defender isn't 100 percent deployed yet, but it's working for some employees. When a machine comes on board, Defender will deploy an agent on that device when the script runs. A person logs on, the agent installs, and the device is onboarded.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint eight out of 10. It's a cost-effective solution for Microsoft shops.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
May 2025

Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2025.
851,823 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Sr. Consultant at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
Expandable and reliable with helpful technical support
Pros and Cons
- "The stability keeps getting better and better."
- "It's not quite a mature solution just yet. It needs more time to grow and develop."
What is our primary use case?
We're using it in the backend, just for securing our environment. We're not an end-user, we are a Microsoft partner and we are using it as a B2B solution. It's more for customers. From the software side, we provide solutions that are mainly Microsoft-based.
What is most valuable?
It's a solution that can exist in the cloud, which makes it very scalable.
The stability keeps getting better and better.
What needs improvement?
Sometimes it's complicated. It's not intuitive in terms of installation and deployment. When we are making some POCs for customers before engaging and we are testing all the Microsoft security solutions for our customers. We've found it hard so far.
It's not quite a mature solution just yet. It needs more time to grow and develop.
The setup can be a bit difficult. This is expected. We sometimes deal with difficult environments.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for two years now. It hasn't been too long.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is great. It just keeps getting more and more stable. As it matures, it's going to be very good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability in general is quite good. If a company needs to expand it, it can do so.
Today, we have dozens of clients using the solution and we're expecting to add more. This is our target - to increase the number of customers using the solution.
How are customer service and support?
So far, technical support is okay. We have no complaints.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup can be a bit difficult. I have had some feedback from engineers that say sometimes they are struggling and it's not as easy as we would hope. That said, we are dealing with quite complicated solutions, and it's normal to not be as easy. This is not a plug-and-play product. You need to configure it and to add and change parameters and you have to adapt it to the different environments.
How big your technical team needs to be varies according to each deployment. It depends on what is expected and what needs to be done.
What about the implementation team?
We tend to implement the solution for our clients.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Clients do need to pay for a license. They vary. Some are charged monthly, others, yearly. There are various options.
What other advice do I have?
While I cannot speak to the exact version number, we are likely on the latest version. We have an administrative team that makes sure it is updated and takes care of everything for us.
I would recommend the solution to others. So far, it has been a good product.
I'd rate it overall at an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Admin at IEC (Electoral Commission of South Africa)
It has all the basic features you need, but the support could be more knowledgeable
Pros and Cons
- "Defender should be fine for home use. It has all the basic functionality you need. I can't speak to how well it works as an enterprise solution because I'm not in the space."
- "Microsoft support could be more knowledgeable."
What is our primary use case?
I'm using Defender at home for antivirus protection.
What is most valuable?
Defender should be fine for home use. It has all the basic functionality you need. I can't speak to how well it works as an enterprise solution because I'm not in the space.
What needs improvement?
I have limited knowledge of Defender, so I can't comment on what the product needs because I'm not a security expert. I'm not in that space to say what components are missing compared to competitors.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Defender for a couple of years now.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Defender is a highly stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Defender is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Microsoft support could be more knowledgeable.
How was the initial setup?
Defender is an easy product to set up, and it takes less than 3 minutes.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Defender seven out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Owner at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
A cloud delivered endpoint security solution that defends against various threats
Pros and Cons
- "The primary advantage is that you don't need to install it. It's included in the Windows 10 delivery."
- "Some integration components for Mac should be added. We use both Windows 10 desktops and Mac desktops, but presently, the Mac component is still lagging a bit behind."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution and we also implement it for customers. We mainly use it for its anti-malware and threat protection capabilities. If a client comes to us who uses Office 365, then we suggest this solution.
At the moment we have between 10 to 50 customers.
We definitely plan to keep using this solution. We're currently just pushing out all other solutions because they're not integrated and they have additional deployment costs. The only thing which is a bit peculiar is that you need to convince the customer that you're not talking about an antivirus solution. If we do, then they end up comparing things that are incomparable.
What is most valuable?
The primary advantage is that you don't need to install it. It's included in the Windows 10 delivery.
It's part of the Microsoft 365 suite, so it's integrated. We also use it for collaboration with other components within the suite. These two things are the most important for us at the moment.
What needs improvement?
Some integration components for Mac should be added. We use both Windows 10 desktops and Mac desktops, but presently, the Mac component is still lagging a bit behind. However, I think this is a temporary case.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Defender for roughly one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
On Mac, it's quite unstable and unusable; however, it's very stable for Windows. We're content with what it does and how it works.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's on the cloud, so scalability is not an issue.
How are customer service and technical support?
We've had no problems with customer support.
How was the initial setup?
There's no installation to be done on the device itself, so it's quite easy. Configuration takes roughly two to three days.
What about the implementation team?
Our company acts as both a consultant and integrator.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Licensing options vary. Some customers buy it as an enterprise agreement and pay yearly. Others buy it as a CSP, so they pay per month. It completely depends on the customer's needs.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, on a scale from one to ten, I would give this solution a rating of nine. Some integration components on Mac should be improved. It should be more stable on Mac. If they fixed this, I would give it a rating of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
IT RM at KNV
It runs in the background
Pros and Cons
- "Defender works in the background monitoring the traffic for viruses."
- "Defender could be more secure and stable."
What is our primary use case?
Defender is an antivirus solution deployed on all Microsoft PCs. Thousands of employees at my company use it.
What is most valuable?
Defender works in the background monitoring the traffic for viruses.
What needs improvement?
Defender could be more secure and stable.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using Microsoft Defender for a couple of years.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up Defender is straightforward. My administrator takes care of all that.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Defender eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Stable, embedded in Microsoft Windows, and high performance
Pros and Cons
- "The performance of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has been good."
- "Microsoft Defender for Endpoint could improve by providing more user-friendly dashboards. They may be complicated for some."
What is our primary use case?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is used for securing endpoints from threats.
What is most valuable?
The performance of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has been good.
What needs improvement?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint could improve by providing more user-friendly dashboards. They may be complicated for some.
In a future release, they should add a feature for patch management.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has been stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has been good.
We have approximately five clients using the solution. We have thousands of licensees for this solution within my company.
How are customer service and support?
The technical from Microsoft could be better. It is not as good as other solutions.
How was the initial setup?
The implementation of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint because it is pre-installed with Microsoft Windows. Other solutions you have to install separately, such as Check Point.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The license for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is included in the license for the Microsoft Windows operating system.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others.
I rate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
CEO at Datasirius TI
Easy to set up endpoint security solution with automated investigation and web content filtering features; has a vulnerability management dashboard
Pros and Cons
- "Easy to understand and easy to set up endpoint security solution. It's a multifeatured product with web content filtering and automated investigation features. It also has a fantastic vulnerability management dashboard."
- "The UI for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint needs to be better. Integration with client dashboards is also lacking in this product, e.g. client dashboards shouldn't just be viewable from the cloud, because when the client's computer is offline, you won't be able to see the client dashboard."
What is our primary use case?
Most of my clients use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for attack and threat prevention. I always look at the alert page to get alert details. This solution is also used for EDR (endpoint detection and response). We also use it for web content filtering and for completely automated investigations.
What is most valuable?
What I found most valuable in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is its vulnerability dashboard. It's fantastic for my clients and I.
What needs improvement?
In my experience, I only need the client dashboard in the cloud and in the server. For my dashboards in the cloud, I can set up and see everything. I can check alerts, e.g. I'm alerted when something happens, but when my client is offline, and I want to look for something offline, e.g. directly on his computer, I'm not able to see everything. My client's computer needs to be online for me to be able to see the information I need, and this is an area for improvement.
There should be integration of this solution with client dashboards. I need to see some of the dashboards directly from the computers of my clients, rather than just their cloud dashboards. If the dashboard is only viewable from the cloud, I will not be able to view it when the computer is offline.
What I'd like to see in the next release of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a better UI. Another suggestion to improve this solution is having endpoint protection offline, e.g. I'll set up a file on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and all the network, so my ISP goes in and out through the Defender server. Rather than just being on cloud, they must make an appliance for on-premises deployment.
For how long have I used the solution?
I started using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint six months ago, so I've been using it for half a year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a very stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a scalable solution.
How are customer service and support?
I have no complaints about the technical support for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint was super easy for me.
What about the implementation team?
Implementing this solution is done in-house. I'm the one implementing it. I can set it up for multiple clients weekly, e.g. five clients a week.
What other advice do I have?
I'm using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for myself and for my clients. I'm a partner of Microsoft.
I'm the one in charge of the deployment and maintenance of this solution.
My advice to someone planning to use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is that it's super easy to understand, whether you have no prior knowledge of it, or you want to learn more about it. You can also learn more about security, particularly information security.
My rating for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner

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Updated: May 2025
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